69.006 BF1976

Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri

Linnaeus, 1758

Wingspan 90-120 mm.

Our largest resident hawk-moth, which is distributed in the southern half of Britain, and has distinctive pink and black barring on the body.

The similarly-striped hindwings are often concealed.

It frequents woodland and suburban habitats, and flies in June and July, with a single generation.

The large caterpillar is even more spectacular than the moth, being bright green with lilac and white stripes along the side, and a curved black 'horn' at the rear. It feeds on privet (Ligustrum), lilac (Syringa) and ash (Fraxinus).